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Nominate yourself to serve on a Board or Commission

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a plan to reform the process by which her Office selects individuals to serve on the dozens of boards and commissions that affect critical County functions.

Preckwinkle said she is making good on an important promise to make Cook County more accessible to residents.

“In my inaugural address, I said that a lack of transparency and accountability has eroded the legitimacy of Cook County government. We’re constructing a system to restore faith in County government. This part of this overhaul of County government includes making public the formerly secretive appointment process involving our County’s board and committees,” she said.

The Cook County Board President makes appointments to more than 50 boards, commissions, committees, sanitary and mosquito abatement districts having impact on citizens of Cook County. The County is encouraging residents to apply for available appointments. Citizens can apply by going to the website http://www.cookcountyil.gov/appointments. The site also includes pertinent information about each board and commission, such as the number of members, length of term, qualifications, and names and status of board members. Current members interested in reappointment will have to reapply for their positions through the website.

“The ability of citizens to hold their elected officials accountable is impacted greatly by their access to information. We’re building new pathways through which residents can research County government. The aim is to end an era of secrecy and be an outstanding partner as a source for the critical information that residents need about many issues, including our finances and personnel,” Preckwinkle said.

Preckwinkle said the County is working rapidly to provide comprehensive information about the functions and services that affect the residents of Cook County.